DAP's Teng Chang Khim will not attend the party disciplinary committee hearing if summoned in his capacity as speaker of the Selangor state assembly and chair of the state Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).

NONE"I have to uphold the dignity of the state assembly (and the position of the) speaker and Selcat chair," he told a press conference at the speaker’s office in Shah Alam this morning.

"(There is) no way (I will) attend the hearing in my capacity as speaker and Selcat chair(person), even if I am sacked (from the party) for this."

However, Teng (left) said he is willing to cooperate with the disciplinary committee if he is summoned as a party leader or as Sungai Pinang state assemblyperson.

He said he will decide whether to attend the hearing once it is confirmed in what capacity he is summoned when he receives the letter from the disciplinary committee.

“If I don't respond to this, what if the MCA or Umno disciplinary committee summons me tomorrow?” he asked.

He was referring to a remark by disciplinary committee head Tan Kok Wai who had said yesterday: "So this time the Selcat chairman will be summoned by the party disciplinary committee to clarify the matter."

The party’s move is in relation to a Twitter post by Teng over the expulsion of Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock from DAP yesterday, for allegedly misusing a Selangor exco member's letterhead to secure contracts for his cronies and family. Tee had earlier denied doing so.

NONEIn an immediate reaction, Teng had wrote: “OMG (oh my god)! Real culprit is freed.”

Teng also criticised Tanfor being unprofessional and for not being able to differentiate between party and state government matters.

"As a six-term MP, Tan should not have made a statement like this," he said.

He said he has the right to criticise any decision of the disciplinary committee, arguing that Pakatan Rakyat leaders had previously criticised the verdict in legal suits brought by the Pakatan-appointed menteri besar and speaker.

He said anyone can criticise a court decision, and it would be considered contempt only if someone says the court is biased.

“I think Tan read too much into my tweet... I also don't know where he studied law,” he said.

More controversy

Asked if he regrets sending the tweet, he replied: “How can you regret sending a tweet, as a tweet is only between you and your followers?

“As far as I know, I only had some 1,200 followers at that time. But after Tan made me a headline item, my followers have increased by about 100 people within a day,” he said sarcastically.

Following Tan's announcement yesterday, Teng had tweeted: “Tweet in shiver, I think my days are numbered” and “For record purposes, Jinyiwei is the answer.”

Jin Yi Wei is a reference to the secret police of the emperor during the Ming dynasty in China. They are usually controlled by the emperor's most trusted eunuch.

Asked what he meant by Jin Yi Wei in this case, Teng refused to answer, saying he would only explain to the disciplinary committee.

“I have to immediate defend myself. As a lawyer, I'll have to get it done,” he said.

He also claimed that he has two witnesses to offer if he attends the committee hearing.

'Words too strong'

Contacted later, Tan said this should not become an issue because the disciplinary committee will summon Teng by his highest party post - that of central executive committee member.

dap disciplinary committee on tee boon hock 310710 tan kok wai 1On Teng's willingness to be sacked by the party in order to protect the dignity of state assembly, Tan (right) said Teng's words are too strong.

"We just want him to tell us the truth. Why should we sack him?"

Tan  likened Teng to a citizen who claims to have information about a criminal case - rather than lodge a police report, he spreads information via the kopitiam (coffee shop) and Internet.

"If Teng is a responsible leader and loves the party, he should tell the truth to the party immediately," said Tan.

Asked what the disciplinary committee would do if Teng refuses to attend the hearing, he refused to speculate.

"I believe Teng, as a long-serving party leader, knows his responsibility. He will certainly attend the hearing."